(Newser)
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Jonathan Safran Foer. Toni Morrison. George Saunders. Michael Lewis. Malcolm Gladwell. They're some of the most famous authors working today, and now they're lending their prose to, of all things, fast-food packaging. Starting today, cups and bags at Chipotle Mexican Grill will come adorned with text from one of the above luminaries, the company announced. The idea apparently came from Foer one day when he forgot to bring a book to the burrito joint, he tells Vanity Fair. "I really just wanted to die with frustration," he recalls.

Foer had met Chipotle CEO Steve Ells, so he pitched him the idea of putting text on Chipotle's cups and its typically blank bags. Ells liked the idea, and let Foer pick the writers involved and edit their work. The Eating Animals author says he doesn't mind helping a fast-food chain—at least not one with Chipotle's relatively good meat record. "I mean, I wouldn’t have done it if it was for another company like a McDonald’s, but what interested me is 800,000 Americans of extremely diverse backgrounds having access to good writing. A lot of these people don't have access to libraries, or bookstores."

What a novel idea! I wonder what they will do when Jonathan Safran Foer forgets to bring his reading glasses?

Jaye

May 16, 2014 8:42 AM CDT

I only dine at small businesses who hire locals, more people are tiring of the corp. agenda.

watashiwa

May 16, 2014 8:00 AM CDT

It's a preemptive effort to separate Chipotle from the likes of Subway, McDonalds, and all the other illegal alien worker magnet businesses. Chipotle mgmt. is very aware that the simmering 'low pay' strikes and possible focus on hiring illegals needs some 'classy' effort to create a distinction within the fast food genre.